Apparatus foe waterproofing textile fabrics



(No Model.)

T. P. WILEY, APPARATUS FOR WATERPROOFING TEXTILE FABRIGS.

Patented Sept.'1 7, 1889'.

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. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS FERNELEY WILEY, or RAwDoN, NEAR LEEDs, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR WATERPROOFING TEXTILE FABRICSQ SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 411,081, dated September 17, 1889.

Application filed fieptember 24, 1888. Serial No. 286,211. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS FERNELEY WILEY, a subject of the Queen of England, and residing at Rawdon,near Leeds, England, have invented certain Improvements in an Apparatus forWaterproofing Textile Fabrics or Rendering them ater-Repellent, of which the following is a specification.

This invention consists of an apparatus for waterproofing textile fabrics, whereby a waterproofing or water repelling substance, agent, or compound is applied to the fabric in a solid state without a solvent, and wherein the fabrics are afterward heated to complete the waterproofing. I apply any waterproofing or water-repelling substance, agent, or compound in this manner which is capable of being formed to a convenient shape and having a melting-point below what would damage the fabrics, of which the following substances are good examples: stearine, spermaceti, ozocerite, paraffine wax, and Japanese wax, or other similar substances. These substances may be either applied separately or in combination.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a longitudinal section of an apparatus adapted to apply waterproofing or water-repelling substances in the form of solid slabs to textile fabrics. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the same with one side of the said slab of waterproofing substance and the holder in which it is mounted broken away to show the parts beneath in full. In the above figures the apparatus is represented in conjunction with a cylinder drying-machine, which machine is preferably used for the purpose of drawing the fabrics through the apparatus, as well as subsequently heating them; but it is obvious that other means may be used for this purpose. Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a plan View and an elevation on a reduced scale of the form of slab of waterproofing substance preferably used.

The reel A, holding the fabric B to be operated upon, is mounted in bearings 0, formed at the end of the side frames 1). At the opposite end of the machine a hollow india-rubber cylinder E, preferably without an arbor and filled with water, is mounted upon a roller F and is supported laterally by rollers G and H. A slab J, of waterproofing substance, is fixed in the holder K and its under edge rests upon said cylinder. The holder K is provided with projections L at each end, fitting between the vertical guides M, formed at the top of the frames D, and it is so arranged that the weight of such holder presses the slab J toward the cylinder E, which pressure may be increased as required by placing a weight or weights upon the tray N, fixed to the top of holder K. I

The fabrics are passed through the abovedescribed apparatus in the. manner represented by the broken lines 13, Fig. 1, and are connected to a wrapper passed through the cylinder drying-machine O,which draws such fabrics from the reel A over and under adjustable tension-bars P, under the roller F, between it and the cylinder E, causing such cylinder to revolve, and round such cylinder, under the slab J, over the roller Q, and between the drying-machine cylinders R. The friction of the fabrics upon the slab J as they pass beneath gradually wears such slab away and it is uniformly deposited upon the fabrics, and when such fabrics pass between the cylinders R of the drying-machine their heat melts the waterproofing substance thus deposited, causing it to run and coat the fibers or become absorbed by the fabric, thereby rendering them water-repellent.

The amount of waterproofing substance applied in this manner may be regulated by ad justing the pressure of the slab J 'upon the fabrics, which is readily done by increasing or decreasing the weight upon the tray N. Feed-screws T are fitted through the top of the holder K to push the slab J out as it becomes reduced.

As the india-rubber cylinder E is hollow and filled with water, it is extremely pliable and elastic, and is consequently particularly adapted to uniformly press the fabrics against the under edge of the slab J, although such edge may be irregularly or unevenly worn. Such cylinder also tends to remove creases from the fabrics and otherwise keep them straight.

The slabs J are made longer than the width of the fabrics, in order to allow of any slight lateral deviation thereof, and as the ends of such slabs are not exposed to the same amount of friction as the parts constantly in contact with the fabrics I preferably bevel the ends S of the slabs, so that they are more easily worn away.

The bars P are capable of adjustment in the slots U for the purpose of regulating the tension of the fabrics.

I elaim 1. In an apparatus for waterproofing fabrics, the combination of a mass of solid waterproofing material, a hollow cylinder of flexible material adapted to contain water arranged adjacent to the mass of waterproofing material, and guides for the fabric to direct it between the said flexible cylinder and the mass of waterproofing material, substantially as set forth.

2. In an apparatus for waterproofing fabrics, the combination of a slab of solid waterproofing material, a holder therefor in which itslidcs, a cylinder of flexible material adapted to contain water held opposite the edge of the said slab of material, and guides for the fftblIC which direct it to partiallyencircle the said cylinder to cause it to revolve, substantially as set forth.

In a machine for waterproofing fabrics, the combination of a mass of solid waterproofing material, a hollow cylinder of flexible material adapted to hold water, and the supporting-rollers F, G, and H, which hold the said hollow cylinder against the mass of waterproofing material, substantially as set forth.

4. In a machine for waterproofing fabrics, the combination, with the devices for feeding the fabric through the machine, of a slab of solid waterproofing material of greater length than the width of the fabric to be waterproofed, and having its ends beveled, and a holder for the slab of waterproofing material, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of the two subscril ing witnesses.

THOMAS FERNEL'EY WILEY.

\Vitnesscs:

DAVID 1\[()RRELL, S. A. 'DRACUP. 

